Trailing interspecific impatiens

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an interspecific impatiens plant having a trailing habit. The plant of the present invention were developed as a result of a unique interspecific cross between  Impatiens flaccida  and  Impatiens Hawkeri.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a novel trailing habit ininterspecific impatiens plants. The trailing impatiens plants of thepresent invention were developed through a unique interspecific crossbetween Impatiens flaccida and Impatiens Hawkeri.

[0002] This invention also relates to interspecific impatiens seed,interspecific impatiens plants, interspecific impatiens varieties andinterspecific impatiens hybrids containing this trailing trait.

[0003] In addition, the present invention also relates to methods fortransferring the trailing habit to New Guinea impatiens varieties usingImpatiens flaccida in breeding as either a female or male parent, inorder to produce novel types and varieties of interspecific impatiensplants which exhibit this trailing habit. The present invention alsorelates to a F₁ hybrid or later generation interspecific impatiens plantgrown from the interspecific hybrid seed produced by the aforementionedmethods.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0004] The genus Impatiens is comprised of about 500 species of annualor perennial herbs or subshrubs. They are widely distributedparticularly in the tropics and subtropics of Asia and Africa (HortusThird A Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in the United States andCanada, MacMillan Publishing Company (1976)).

[0005] A species of particular commercial interest is Impatiens Hawkeri,commonly referred to as New Guinea impatiens. New Guinea impatiens havefoliage and floral characteristics that are desirable for bedding andpot-plant use. Impatiens plants reported to be native to New Guinea wereclassified in 1886 as Impatiens Hawkeri (New Guinea Impatiens, A BallGuide, edited by W. Banner and M. Klopmeyer, Ball Publishing (1995)).Occasionally, these early specimens were referred to as Impatiensherzogii. Id. In the early 1900's, botanists from Germany, England andthe Netherlands explored parts of the Sundra Islands, and by 1915, nineNew Guinea impatiens species were identified from this area: I. dahlii,I. herzogii, I. laxterbachii, I. linearifolia, I. mooreana, I.polyphylla, I. rodatzii, I. schlechteri, and I. trichura. Id.Taxonomically, the collections were confusing and were considered to behabitat variations of I. herzogii rather than new species by Von R.Schlecter. Id. In the most recent taxonomic classification, Grey-Wilsonproposed that New Guinea impatiens belong to one highly variablespecies, I. Hawkeri, in which 15 groups were identified based ongeographic location. Id.

[0006] Although diverse phenotypically, typically members of New Guineaimpatiens are fertile when crossed with each other or when selfed andgenerally have a 2n chromosome number of 32 (T. Arisumi, J. Hered.,64:77-79 (1973)). Breeding programs initiated in the early 1970's haveled to the development of New Guinea impatiens cultivars that areadapted to a variety of light conditions, and have large flowers of awide variety of colors including white, pink, red, orange, as well asbiocolors (New Guinea Impatiens, A Ball Guide, edited by W. Banner andM. Klopmeyer, Ball Publishing (1995)). Foliage types include slightlyrounded to lanceolate with smooth to serrated edges having colorsranging from green to burgundy and variegated. Id. Plant habits aretypically mounded to spreading (U.S. Plant Patent No. 5,921; U.S. PlantPatent No. 4720; U.S. Plant Patent No. 10,858). One cultivar ‘Radiance’is described as having stems that are “slightly trailing” (U.S. PlantPatent No. 7,098).

[0007] Interspecific crosses using Impatiens platypetala and Impatiensaurantiaca, two species closely related to Impatiens Hawkeri, have beenused in New Guinea impatiens cultivar improvement, but offspring ofthese crosses are often sterile (New Guinea Impatiens, A Ball Guide,edited by W. Banner and M. Klopmeyer, Ball Publishing (1995)). Arisumihas successfully used ovule culture to recover interspecific hybrids ofNew Guinea impatiens, I. Hawkeri, crossed with I. auricoma, I.niamniamensis, I. uguenensis, and I. Wallerana (I. sultani in hispublication) (T. Arisumi, J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 112(6): 1026-1031(1987)).

[0008]Impatiens flaccida alba, a species noted for drought tolerance,has been used in interspecific crosses. Using ovule culture, hybridseedlings were recovered from interspecific crosses of I. flaccida albax I. repens and I. uguenensis x I. flaccida alba; however, no seedlingswere recovered from crosses of I. flaccida alba x I. herzogii, I.flaccida alba x I. epiphytica, or I. flaccida alba x I. hookeriana (T.Arisumi, J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 105(5):629-631 (1980)). An additionalstudy confirmed the previously reported I. flaccida alba x I. repens andI. uguenesis x I. flaccida alba successes, while no seedlings wererecovered from a cross between I. flaccida alba x ‘Pele’ (A New Guineaimpatiens cultivar) (T. Arisumi, J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 110(2):273-276(1985)). Interspecific hybrids were also recovered from a cross betweenI. flaccida x I. Wallerana ‘Elfin White’ (I. sultani in his publication)(T. Arisumi, J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 112(6):1026-1031 (1987)).

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0009] The present invention relates to interspecific impatiens plantshaving a novel trailing habit. The interspecific impatiens plants of thepresent invention possess a trailing habit and have pedigrees whichinclude 2245B, 2257B or derivatives thereof.

[0010] The present invention also relates to seed, pollen, cuttings andovules of the trailing interspecific impatiens plants of the presentinvention. Moreover, the present invention also relates to a tissueculture comprising regenerable cells of the trailing interspecificimpatiens plants of the present invention.

[0011] Additionally, the present invention relates to interspecificimpatiens seed which contain the trailing trait. The seed of the presentinvention have pedigrees which include 2245B, 2257B or derivativesthereof The present invention also relates to a trailing interspecificimpatiens plant produced by growing the seed of the present invention.

[0012] The present invention also relates to a method for transferringthe trailing trait from Impatiens flaccida into Impatiens Hawkeri. Themethod involves crossing pollen from a first parent impatiens plant to asecond parent impatiens plant and harvesting the resultant firstgeneration (F₁) hybrid impatiens seed. One of the parent impatiensplants used in said method must be an Impatiens flaccida. Additionally,the present invention relates to a first generation (F₁) hybrid plantproduced by growing the hybrid seed produced by said method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0013] The file of this patent contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent with color drawing(s) will be provided bythe Patent and Trademark Office upon request and payment of thenecessary fee.

[0014]FIG. 1 shows a photograph of an Impatiens flaccida x ImpatiensHawkeri hybrid named 2245B of the present invention that isapproximately 12 weeks old.

[0015]FIG. 2 shows a photograph of hybrid 2245B that is approximately 20weeks old.

[0016]FIG. 3 shows a photograph of an Impatiens flaccida x ImpatiensHawkeri hybrid named 2257B of the present invention that isapproximately 12 weeks old.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The interspecific impatiens plants of the present inventionexhibit an unique trailing habit. This trailing habit was developedthrough a unique interspecific cross between Impatiens flaccida andImpatiens Hawkeri.

[0018] As used herein, the term “trailing” means a plant habit whereinlateral branches of the plant extend over the container and grow towardthe ground.

[0019] The previously unknown trailing interspecific impatiens plants ofthe present invention were discovered as a result of breeding andresearch efforts which were conducted in Linda Vista, Costa Rica. In1996, a cross was made using a proprietary Impatiens flaccida LindaVista breeding selection as the female parent. This selection exhibitedvery vigorous growth, small lavender flowers, good pollen and seedyield, and is early to flower with a spreading, loose habit. The maleparent was a bulk of Impatiens Hawkeri pollen collected from the JavaSeries F₁ hybrid New Guinea impatiens (developed by and commerciallyavailable from Pan American Seed Company, 622 Town Road, West Chicago,Ill. 60185). The plants in this series have medium vigor with a bushy,well-branched habit. They have good pollen and seed yield, and are earlyto flower with abundant flower production. Pollen was collected fromseveral plants having a variety of flower colors, and may have includedorange, red, salmon, red/salmon bicolor, rose/lilac bicolor, lavender,cherry red and white. The bulked pollen was transferred to the femaleparent and the resulting F₁ seed was collected and germinated. In 1997,from the flowering progeny, plants identified as 2245B and 2257B wereselected. The F₁ generation yielded a variety of flower colors includinglilac, cherry red, and purple. Foliage colors included green to darkgreen. The majority of the F₁ plants were sterile and it was notpossible to recover seed from self pollination or backcrossing.

[0020] Methods for overcoming interspecific hybrid sterility barriersare known in the art and include, but are not limited to, colchicinetreatments, random assortive mating and naturally developing pollenfertility.

[0021] The trailing interspecific impatiens plants of the presentinvention are genetically stable and can be stably reproduced by meansof asexual propagation. Cuttings for asexual propagation can be taken atany time of the year and no special hormones or soil mixtures arerequired. It is expected that any trailing interspecific impatiens canbe produced commercially through asexual propagation.

[0022] Using the methods described herein, it is expected that thetrailing trait from Impatiens flaccida can be bred into diverse NewGuinea (Impatiens Hawkeri) impatiens backgrounds, including those havingmany different flower colors, as well as bicolor flowers. Additionally,the trailing habit can be incorporated into New Guinea impatiens havingsolid green foliage, green and yellow variegated foliage, dark greenfoliage, dark purplish leaves, dark purplish and cream variegatedfoliage, etc.

[0023] The following examples are set forth as representations ofspecific and preferred embodiments of the present invention. Theseexamples are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the inventionin any manner. It should be understood that many variations andmodifications can be made while remaining within the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

EXAMPLE 1

[0024] Description of Impatiens flaccida x Impatiens Hawkeri hybridnamed 2245B

[0025] The color chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England. The color values were determined on Oct. 8, 1999 inWest Chicago, Ill. The readings were taken between 1:00 and 1:45 p.m.under approximately 2500 footcandles of light.

[0026] The plants were produced from cuttings taken from stock plantsand were grown under greenhouse conditions comparable to those used incommercial practice while utilizing a soilless growth medium andmaintaining temperatures of approximately 72° F. during the day andapproximately 65° F. during the night.

[0027] Propagation

[0028] Type cutting

[0029] Terminal tip

[0030] Time to initiate roots

[0031] Approximately 14-21 days with the shorter times generally beingexperienced in the summer and the longer times in the winter

[0032] Rooting habit

[0033] Fibrous, branching

[0034] Plant Description

[0035] General appearance and form

[0036] Trailing

[0037] Crop time

[0038] A finished flowering plant is produced 8 to 10 weeks afterplanting rooted cuttings

[0039] Branching habit

[0040] Freely basal branching without pinching or growth regulators

[0041] Total number of branches

[0042] Approximately 55 equal to or longer than 5 mm

[0043] Branch length

[0044] Approximately 19.3 cm

[0045] Branch diameter

[0046] Approximately 8 mm

[0047] Internode length

[0048] Approximately 4.5 cm

[0049] Stem color

[0050] Yellow-Green Group 144D overlaid with Greyed-Purple Group 183B atnodes

[0051] Height of foliage

[0052] A mature plant commonly measures approximately 17 cm above a 20cm pot

[0053] Length of foliage

[0054] Approximately 17 cm below top of a 20 cm pot

[0055] Area of spread

[0056] Approximately 45 cm with three plants per 20 cm pot

[0057] Foliage Description

[0058] Form

[0059] Ovate with acuminate apex and cuneate base

[0060] Margin

[0061] Serrate, ciliate

[0062] Arrangement

[0063] Opposite

[0064] Venation pattern

[0065] Arcuate

[0066] Surface

[0067] Smooth

[0068] Color of mature foliage-upper surface

[0069] Between Green Group 137A and Green Group 146A with veins ofYellow-Green Group 145C

[0070] Color of mature foliage-lower surface

[0071] Closest to Green Group 138B with veins of Yellow-Green Group 144C

[0072] Size

[0073] Approximately 6.3 cm in length; approximately 2.4 cm in width

[0074] Petiole length

[0075] 1.1 cm

[0076] Petiole diameter

[0077] 2 mm

[0078] Petiole color

[0079] Yellow-Green Group 145C with faint overlay of Red Group 52B atbase

[0080] Flower Description

[0081] Flowering habit

[0082] Freely flowering under outdoor growing conditions withsubstantially continuous blooming from spring until fall

[0083] Flowers borne

[0084] Above foliage arising from leaf axils

[0085] Peduncle length

[0086] 4.9 cm

[0087] Peduncle color

[0088] Yellow-Green Group 145C with slight overlay of Red-Group 52B onlower third.

[0089] Flower form

[0090] Single

[0091] Quantity of flowers

[0092] Approximately 26 per plant

[0093] Flower size

[0094] Approximately 4.6 cm in diameter

[0095] Number of petals

[0096] Five

[0097] Petal texture

[0098] Iridescent

[0099] Petal shape

[0100] Obovate

[0101] Petal margin

[0102] Entire

[0103] Petal apex

[0104] Superior petal is flat; other four petals are emarginate

[0105] Petal base

[0106] Superior petal has very broad base; other petals have narrow,pointed base

[0107] Petal length

[0108] Superior petal is 1.8 cm; other four petals are 2.6 cm

[0109] Petal width

[0110] Superior petal is 2.4 cm; other four petals are 2.1 cm

[0111] Flower color

[0112] The upper surface of all petals is between Red-Purple Group 64Aand Red-Purple Group 74A. The two lateral petals have bases ofRed-Purple Group 72B; and the lowest two petals have bases of Red-PurpleGroup 72B with areas of Red-Purple Group 60A just above the basesforming an “eye”. The lower surface of all petals is closest toRed-Purple Group 67A.

[0113] Flower bud shape

[0114] Ovate

[0115] Flower bud length

[0116] 1.7 cm

[0117] Flower bud diameter

[0118] 8.3 mm

[0119] Flower bud color

[0120] Closest to Red-Purple Group 71B

[0121] Sepals

[0122] Three sepals plus two rudimentary sepals are fused into the undersurface of the superior petal. A spur originating from the base of theinferior sepal is approximately 5.5 cm in length on fully openedflowers. The spur color is Red-Purple Group 58A with Yellow-Green Group144C at tip.

[0123] Reproductive organs

[0124] The stamens and anthers are fused together forming one organ thatsurrounds the pistil. The pistil is approximately 5 mm long, the stigmacolor is Yellow-Green Group 144D, and the ovary color is Yellow-GreenGroup 144A. Generally, the anthers shed pollen prior to the stigmabecoming receptive. The pollen color is Yellow Group 13D.

EXAMPLE 2

[0125] Description of Impatiens flaccida x Impatiens Hawkeri hybridnamed 2257B

[0126] The color chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England. The color values were determined on Oct. 8, 1999 inWest Chicago, Ill. The readings were taken between 1:00 and 1:45 p.m.under approximately 2500 footcandles of light.

[0127] The plants were produced from cuttings taken from stock plantsand were grown under greenhouse conditions comparable to those used incommercial practice while utilizing a soilless growth medium andmaintaining temperatures of approximately 72° F. during the day andapproximately 65° F. during the night.

[0128] Propagation

[0129] Type cutting

[0130] Terminal tip

[0131] Time to initiate roots

[0132] Approximately 14-21 days with the shorter times generally beingexperienced in the summer and the longer times in the winter

[0133] Rooting habit

[0134] Fibrous, branching

[0135] Plant Description

[0136] General appearance and form

[0137] Medium trailing

[0138] Crop time

[0139] A finished flowering plant is produced in 8 to 10 weeks afterplanting rooted cuttings

[0140] Branching habit

[0141] Freely basal branching without pinching or growth regulators

[0142] Total number of branches

[0143] Approximately 51 equal to or longer than 5 mm

[0144] Branch length

[0145] Approximately 21.3 cm

[0146] Branch diameter

[0147] Approximately 7 mm

[0148] Internode length

[0149] Approximately 5.1 cm

[0150] Stem color

[0151] Greyed-Purple Group 184A at base and above each node;Yellow-Green Group 144A just below each node

[0152] Height of foliage

[0153] A mature plant commonly measures approximately 19 cm above a 20cm pot

[0154] Length of foliage

[0155] Approximately 15 cm below top of a 20 cm pot

[0156] Area of spread

[0157] Approximately 46 cm with three plants per 20 cm pot

[0158] Foliage Description

[0159] Form

[0160] Lanceolate with acuminate apex and cuneate base

[0161] Margin

[0162] Serrate, ciliate

[0163] Arrangement

[0164] Whorles of three

[0165] Venation pattern

[0166] Arcuate

[0167] Surface

[0168] Smooth

[0169] Color of mature foliage-upper surface

[0170] Between Green Group 137A and Green Group 146A with veins ofYellow-Green Group 145C

[0171] Color of mature foliage-lower surface

[0172] Closest to Green Group 138B with veins of Yellow-Green Group 144C

[0173] Size

[0174] Approximately 6.3 cm in length; approximately 1.9 cm in width

[0175] Petiole length

[0176] 9 mm

[0177] Petiole diameter

[0178] 2 mm

[0179] Petiole color

[0180] Yellow-Green Group 145C with faint overlay of Red Group 52B atbase

[0181] Flower Description

[0182] Flowering habit

[0183] Freely flowering under outdoor growing conditions withsubstantially continuous blooming from spring until fall

[0184] Flowers borne

[0185] Above foliage arising from leaf axils

[0186] Peduncle length

[0187] 5.4 cm

[0188] Peduncle color

[0189] Yellow-Green Group 145C with slight overlay of Red-Purple Group60B

[0190] Flower form

[0191] Single

[0192] Quantity of flowers

[0193] Approximately 23 per plant

[0194] Flower size

[0195] Approximately 4.4 cm in diameter

[0196] Number of petals

[0197] Five

[0198] Petal texture

[0199] Iridescent

[0200] Petal shape

[0201] Obovate

[0202] Petal margin

[0203] Mostly entire with some incisions

[0204] Petal apex

[0205] Superior petal has rounded tip; other four petals are emarginate

[0206] Petal base

[0207] Superior petal has very broad base; other petals have narrow,pointed base

[0208] Petal length

[0209] Superior petal is 1.7 cm; other four petals are 2.3 cm

[0210] Petal width

[0211] Superior petal is 2.5 cm; other four petals are 2.1 cm

[0212] Flower color

[0213] The upper surface of the superior petal is between Purple-VioletGroup 81C and Purple-Violet Group 81D. The two lateral petals arebetween Purple-Violet Group 81B and Purple-Violet Group 81C; and thelowest two petals are closest to Purple-Violet Group 81C with areas ofRed-Purple Group 60A just above the bases forming an “eye”. Lowersurface of all petals is Violet Group 84A with midvein of Violet Group84B.

[0214] Flower bud shape

[0215] Ovate

[0216] Flower bud length

[0217] 1.9 cm

[0218] Flower bud diameter

[0219] 1.2 cm

[0220] Flower bud color

[0221] Violet Group 84B

[0222] Sepals

[0223] Three sepals plus two rudimentary sepals are fused into the undersurface of the superior petal. A spur originating from the base of theinferior sepal is approximately 4.4 cm in length on fully openedflowers. The spur color is Red Group 49D at proximal end; Red Group 54Cin the middle three-quarters; Yellow-Green Group 144C at tip.

[0224] Reproductive organs

[0225] The stamens and anthers are fused together forming one organ thatsurrounds the pistil. The pistil is approximately 5 mm long, the stigmacolor is Yellow-Green Group 144C, and the ovary color is Yellow-GreenGroup 144A. Generally, the anthers shed pollen prior to the stigmabecoming receptive. The pollen color is Yellow Group 13D.

[0226] Deposit Information

[0227] Two thousand five hundred (2500) seeds of Impatiens flaccida havebeen placed on deposit with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC),10801 University Blvd., Manassas, Va, 20110-2209 under Deposit AccessionNumber ______ on Dec. 14, 1999. This deposit was made in compliance withthe Budapest Treaty requirements that the duration of the deposit shouldbe for thirty (30) years from the date of the deposit or for five (5)years after the last request for the deposit at the depository or forthe enforceable life of a U.S. Patent that matures from thisapplication, whichever is longer. These impatiens seeds will bereplenished should it become non-viable at the depository.

[0228] The present invention is illustrated by way of the foregoingdescription and examples. The foregoing description is intended as anon-limiting illustration, since many variations will become apparent tothose skilled in the art in view thereof It is intended that all suchvariations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims beembraced thereby.

[0229] Changes can be made to the composition, operation and arrangementof the method of the present invention described herein withoutdeparting from the concept and scope of the invention as defined in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A trailing interspecific impatiens plant.
 2. Atrailing interspecific impatiens plant wherein said plant has a pedigreewhich includes plant 2245B, 2257B or derivatives thereof.
 3. Pollen ofthe plant of claims 1 or
 2. 4. An ovule of the plant of claims 1 or 2.5. A tissue culture comprising regenerable cells of the plant of claims1 or
 2. 6. A cutting of the plant of claims 1 or
 2. 7. A method ofproducing an interspecific impatiens plant having a trailing habit, themethod comprising the steps of: crossing an Impatiens flaccida plantwith an Impatiens Hawkeri plant; recovering the resulting F₁ hybridinterspecific impatiens seed; planting the F₁ hybrid interspecificimpatiens seed and regenerating into plants; and selecting aninterspecific impatiens plant which exhibits a trailing habit.
 8. Atrailing interspecific impatiens plant produced by the method of claim7.
 9. Pollen from a trailing interspecific impatiens plant produced bythe method of claim
 7. 10. An ovule from a trailing interspecificimpatiens plant produced by the method of claim
 7. 11. A tissue culturecomprising regenerable cells from a trailing interspecific impatiensplant produced by the method of claim
 7. 12. A cutting from a trailinginterspecific impatiens plant produced by the method of claim 7.